Hoops

All-Import first team? MVP?

Machado
Cotton
Patterson
Oliver
Long

Oliver is head and shoulders above Kay, like Long is head and shoulders above Bogut.

I understand what you are seeing, and personally I agree. I prefer to pick using the old 1-5 criteria. As such I would have Machado, Cotton, Creek at the 3, Kay at 4 (narrowly ahead of Oliver) and Long at 5.

They have picked unbalanced teams. Last years 2nd team had 3 PGs and 2 centres.
But what's interesting is the way they they shuffle around SFs: Childress, Prather, and Tokoto have all been named outside players,jet Craig was named Inside. So it will depend where they slot Creek.

They did put Randle and Ware in a couple of years ago but they won't pick a team that's ridiculously out of balance

I could be wrong, I'm just basing my prediction on the teams of the past 6 years

[Perhaps, but that's not how the team is selected.
There are two frontcourt players, and 3 backcourt.]

You're right but I think they'll still look at team balance and put in a 3 man or a swingman (e.g. Patterson or Hopson) instead of having 3 point guards

If it was purely the best 3 outside players, then it might be Cotton, Ware, Machado but I'll bet you that doesn't happen

Long not in Bogut shadow, dunker and not much more, it’s all homicide hype. I’d play Kay at the 4 and Oliver at the 5. I’d take Jawai ahead of long.

"Typically the teams include 2 guards, 2 forwards and a 5- this is why Kay is relevant. "

Perhaps, but that's not how the team is selected.
There are two frontcourt players, and 3 backcourt. so regardless of what labels we attach, it comes down to how they play and how that is categorised for the purpose of this selection.
Also remember that it's an acknowledgment for the player, not the formulation of an actual teams. Hence I suspect Creek will be selected in the frontcourt, and that would probably exclude Kay.
So, with that in mind, my tip is:
Long
Creek
Cotton
Machado
Roberson

if I were picking the team, no problems, it would be:
Long
Kay
Creek
Cotton
Machado

I think most of Perth's recent imports have been just fine, Cotton, White, Prather, Ennis, Beal, Lisch over the past decade!

If United does continue their habit of poaching imports, Machado would be a lovely signing to replace Trimble!

Actually Tate is another serious prospect at the forward spot.

Kay isn't even guaranteed a spot in either team, with Patterson, Tate and Hopson all around the mark. Plus Creek clearly the best forward.

So again, Kay and Creek are the only two Aussies who look likely at this point.

Typically the teams include 2 guards, 2 forwards and a 5- this is why Kay is relevant.

Hopson is playing SG, you're right

I still think of him as an SF, as that's where he was playing before his injury, when Hampton and Webster were there - is Hampton returning soon? If so, Hopson will play out much of the remainder as a 3 and be considered a 3 for team selections.


The guards - Cotton is a guaranteed 1st team selection. Ware/Machado should be the next 2. Newbill is the 4th. Sobey, Goulding still a chance too?

Forwards- Creek, Kay, Patterson and Hopson a clear top 4. If Hopson considered a guard, then I'm not sure who would be next- White? Griffin?

5 - Long, Oliver then Bogut and Johnson

Real chance we only have 2 Aussies in the 10 players selected for All NBL teams IMO. That's historically low levels.

There's never been an all import All NBL team. This includes the days where there were 3 all NBL teams.

Hopson starts at SG for NZ currently and occasionally slides to SF, Delaney and Ashley cover the 4 spot.
Not sure what bearing Kay making the team would have on Hopson's selection considering he's a PF.

On this topic, could this be the first time ever we have an All NBL team without an Aussie?

I'm tipping Creek makes the 1st team and Kay makes the 2nd team, but you never know.

If Kay made the first team, then Patterson and Hopson would make the 2nd team. Oliver might get in ahead of Bogut or Johnson at the 5, and then you have the backcourt- probably Machado/Ware and Newbill?

I’d have Hopson in over Patterson.

Really? I'd back this team in:

Bogut/Johnson
Kay/Newley
Creek/McCarron
Goulding/Sobey
Lisch/Martin

I think an Aussie/Kiwi team would get hammered by imports.

Import team

Machado/Ware/Roberson
Cotton/White or Henry or Newbill?
Hopson/Patterson
Oliver/Tate/Griffin
Long/Ashley

Agreed, Trimble isn’t a winner. Would be great to see an All Star game, imports v Australian/NZ lineup. I think it would be competitive:

PG: Sobey
SG: Goulding
SF: Creek
PF: Kay
C: Bogut

The Adelaide girls have put the Adelaide boys to shame this season and have proudly stormed into the major round of the WNBL, again! It’s familiar territory for them.

Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you don't always like. Tonight, the Lightning are at the WNBL table and have been dished up a spicy little entrée called Townsville Fire. Usually quite palatable, but with an occassional lingering aftertaste on the palate if not eaten properly.

They carry form into this game that should worry the Fire. The Lightning have won their last 7 in a stretch that is hotter than the Whyalla Blast Furnace casting floor after a tweir tap on a 44 degree day. The Bat Girl is the league’s leading rebounder plucking nearly 10 boards a game and leading scorer with 21.3 ppg, and just because she can, she’s also the leading blocker as well with 2.6 blocks per game. Pretty impressive stats and should hold her in good stead come awards night. But the Lightning are far from a one woman show with plenty of talent across the roster. It should come as no surprise to Hoopsters that my favourite Lightning player is Jenni Screen. I like her work ethic and determination and reckon she would give Peach a run for his money in an arm westle. But experience counts for everything in finals and cool, calm heads and great leadership are forged from years of experience and can make the difference. Two words that should send a shiver down Townsville’s spine. Jo. Hill. Her leadership and experience might just be the distinction on the final report of the Lightning.

The Townsville Fire have been called Adelaide Lite for good reason. Chris Lucas needs no introduction to SA Basketball fans and his team boasts impressive links to SA. Foley, Flanagan, Newley, Thompson, and Romeo are all former Lightning players or who got their start in SA. Regardless of their links, they are wearing the wrong uniform tonight and for 2 hrs should be as popular with Lightning fans as Kevin Rudd is with Julia Gillard.

These teams have played three times this season with the Lightning extinguishing the Fire easily the first two times, but the Fire winning the third encounter 73:70 against a team minus the Bat Girl.

These girls need your support. Get down to the stadium and make some noise. Buckle up and enjoy the ride! There’s no reason why the Lightning shouldn’t expect a Victorian main course next week.